How has the internet changed the college recruiting process?

I've heard a lot about how the internet impacts college recruiting, like through online profiles or digital portfolios. How significant is this change, and what should I be aware of if I'm looking to get recruited for a sport or talent?

The arrival of the internet has indeed brought major shifts in the college recruiting process, and it's useful in a variety of ways for both the students and the recruiters.

A significant change is the accessibility of information. Organizations like the NCAA have digital resources that give detailed instructions on college recruitment rules, eligibility, and tips for student-athletes. This makes it easier for students to understand the process.

For recruiters and coaches, online platforms and databases have streamlined the scouting process. They can view stats, watch footage of games, and, in the case of sports like swimming or track, look at times or results online. Moreover, rudimentary stats can now be combined with more analytical metrics, leading to a more comprehensive evaluation of performance.

Your presence on these platforms can also impact your chances of being noticed. Many student-athletes now have online profiles that showcase their athletic achievements, academic pursuits, and even a resume of community involvement. These are hosted on platforms such as BeRecruited or NCSA Athletic Recruiting, which is a shift from mailing highlights and resumes. Video sharing platforms, like YouTube, also allow you to upload highlight reels for recruiters to view at their convenience.

On the other hand, social media platforms can either advance or hurt a student's recruitment opportunities. While they allow students to demonstrate their personality, talents, or community involvement outside of their sport, they can also expose potential red flags to recruiters. Therefore, students must keep their online presence clean and professional.

Do note that the internet should not be a replacement for direct communication. Personalized emails and meetings (even if they're virtual) are still highly important in showing your interest in a program and developing a relationship with a coach.

So, to navigate this new landscape successfully, create an online sports profile, maintain a professional online presence, and use online resources to understand the recruiting process. Make sure to harness the advantages, while also being aware, that with the widespread use of the internet, recruiters may have access to larger pools of candidates than before, potentially increasing the competition.